On a chilly night, nothing beats a bowl of rich and flavorful clam chowder. It is one of the most famous American meals, having originated in New England and swiftly spread across the nation. Clam chowder is a tasty, healthy dish that should be in your cupboard, whether you serve it in a bread boule or a more conventional ceramic bowl.
Of course, there are several recipes and variants available. How do you determine which canned clam chowder is best for you and your family? We’ve done the legwork and selected the best eight alternatives for your review.
Best Selection
Our favorite is Campbells Homestyle New England Clam Chowder. It’s cheap, filling, and thick enough to please almost everybody. It also has that excellent handmade flavor you want.
Budget Selection
Bar Harbor Manhattan Style Clam Chowder is our low-cost selection. It’s crafted using some of Main’s freshest seafood and is of restaurant grade. It’s also a red chowder, which is a nice change of pace.
Contents
- Quick Comparison: Top 8 Best Canned Clam Chowders
- 1. Campbell’s Homestyle New England Clam Chowder
- 2. Bar Harbor Manhattan Style Clam Chowder
- 3. Progresso Rich and Hearty New England Clam Chowder
- 4. Campbell’s Condensed Manhattan Clam Chowder
- 5. Campbell’s Chunky Healthy Request New England Clam Chowder
- 6. Progresso Traditional Manhattan Clam Chowder
- 7. Chincoteague Seafood New England Clam Chowder
- 8. Tony’s Clam Chowder
- Important Factors to Consider While Purchasing the Finest Canned Clam Chowder
- Clam Chowder Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Quick Comparison: Top 8 Best Canned Clam Chowders
| Product Name | Grade |
|---|---|
| Campbell’s Homestyle New England Clam Chowder | A+ |
| Bar Harbor Manhattan Style Clam Chowder | A |
| Progresso Rich and Hearty New England Clam Chowder | B+ |
| Campbell’s Condensed Manhattan Clam Chowder | |
| Campbell’s Chunky Healthy Request New England Clam Chowder | B+ |
| Progresso Traditional Manhattan Clam Chowder | B+ |
| Chincoteague Seafood New England Clam Chowder | A |
| Tony’s Clam Chowder | A- |
1. Campbell’s Homestyle New England Clam Chowder
Highlighted Characteristics
Campbells is one of the most well-known brands in the canned soup market, as seen by the number of evaluations it has received. The Homestyle New England Clam Chowder in a big 18.8-ounce can has the typical savory-yet-sweet flavour you know and love (12-pack).
Large pieces of potato, celery, and other veggies are included in this dish, much as in a handmade soup. It’s also high in nutrients, with high levels of iron, potassium, protein, and calcium. Even if you don’t have a can opener, the easy-pull tab makes opening the can straightforward. Just remove the lid, transfer the soup to a saucepan or microwave-safe dish, heat, and serve.
2. Bar Harbor Manhattan Style Clam Chowder
Highlighted Features
Searching for a delicious clam chowder recipe? This might be your go-to choice. Little quantities of Bar Harbor Manhattan Style Clam Chowder are produced using clams fresh from Maine’s coastal waterways. Unlike other clam chowder brands, Bar Harbor’s formula is simple and does not include any extensive chemical names. Clams, clam juice, potatoes, tomato puree, carrots, celery, onion, and spices are all natural ingredients.
This clam chowder is very high in nutritional value. It contains a substantial quantity of vitamin C, as well as iron, calcium, and protein.
3. Progresso Rich and Hearty New England Clam Chowder
Highlighted Elements
Another well-known brand is Progresso, which is linked with taste and quality. The Rich and Hearty range from the brand is carefully developed to be thicker, more flavorful, and richer than their standard soups, which fits nicely with the characteristics of clam chowder.
This can contains 18.5 ounces of filling delight. Clams, potatoes, celery, and carrots are among the nutritious items found here. It’s also high in nutrition, with each serving containing a healthy quantity of calcium, iron, and protein. Each container contains two servings, and the top pull tab allows you to open the can without a can opener. Just add to a saucepan or dish, heat, and serve.
4. Campbell’s Condensed Manhattan Clam Chowder
Highlighted Characteristics
The typical condensed soup from Campbells is the second dish on our list. You’ll find classic components like clams, potatoes, and carrots, but since it’s condensed, it doubles the amount of the can to guarantee there’s plenty for everyone in the family.
The can has a BPA-free lining and contains 10.75 ounces of soup. It is also recyclable, allowing you to do your bit for the environment. This soup is high in nutrients while being low in cholesterol and fat. It has a significant quantity of protein and is a rich source of vitamin A, iron, and calcium.
5. Campbell’s Chunky Healthy Request New England Clam Chowder
Highlighted Features
Campbell’s Healthy Request soup line provides better nutrients and is intended to assist heart health. Of course, it’s also tasty, with large pieces of potato, celery, carrot, and clams in the Chunky Style soup. The pull tab makes opening the can straightforward. While it is not a condensed soup, it is also ready to consume straight away. Just cook it in a saucepan or microwave-safe dish.
Each can has two servings, with each serving providing enough nourishment. There is a lot of calcium, iron, potassium, and protein here.
6. Progresso Traditional Manhattan Clam Chowder
Highlighted Elements
This classic Manhattan clam chowder, the second item from Progresso to reach our list, is a wonderful alternative to the cream-based alternatives on our list. Instead of a rich, creamy sauce, this chowder employs a tomato-based sauce.
By looking over the ingredients list, you’ll see healthful inclusions like clams, carrots, potatoes, and celery. Each can also provides two servings, making it easy to serve a large group. This is also a healthy option, with plenty of iron, vitamin A, and even a reasonable portion of protein. There are no artificial colors or tastes used.
7. Chincoteague Seafood New England Clam Chowder
Highlighted Characteristics
Chincoteague Seafoods New England Clam Chowder, one of the most delectable selections on our list, is both healthful and inexpensive. Moreover, this 12-pack makes it simple to have lots of soup on hand all year. This recipe does not include any MSG. It also doesn’t have any preservatives, artificial colors, or tastes. Since it is a condensed soup, it doubles in volume when cooked.
This soup has a considerable quantity of vitamins C and A, as well as protein, calcium, and iron.
8. Tony’s Clam Chowder
Highlighted Features
Searching for a delicious method to feed a large group? Want real clam chowder taste and a lot of clams? Tony’s Clam Chowder is a three-time world champion dish that comes in a 51-ounce can of condensed soup, making 102 ounces when cooked.
Tony’s is one of the most popular restaurants in the United States in terms of both quality and quantity. It’s also well-known for the amount of spice and flavor it provides, so if you’ve tried other brands and found them a touch bland, this may be a fantastic option for you.
In terms of nutrition, this clam chowder has a lot of iron, vitamin C, and calcium. It also has a high protein content while being low in fat and cholesterol.
Important Factors to Consider While Purchasing the Finest Canned Clam Chowder
As you can see from our product list, there are several possibilities for canned clam chowder. There are well-known brands such as Campbells and Progresso, as well as smaller businesses that carefully design their goods to assure constant quality. You’ll also discover bulk packages and individual cans, as well as big format alternatives to help you serve large audiences quickly.
But, you may be asking what distinguishes one clam chowder from another. What factors should influence your decision? We’ll guide you through some of the most critical factors to consider before purchasing any canned clam chowder.
Volume and Quantity
Two of your initial concerns when purchasing canned clam chowder will be amount and volume. You may calculate this by dividing the number of people you need to feed at one time by the number of meals you wish to have on hand at any one moment.
The more people you have to feed at once, the more cans you’ll need. A 12-pack of chowder, for example, would offer around 12 dinners for two people. But, unless a couple of individuals decided to eat less than one dish, it would create considerably fewer meals for a family of four.
Package volume is another factor to consider. Tonys Clam Chowder, for example, is available in a single can of condensed soup. Yet, one can contains 51 ounces of soup, so when made, you get 102 ounces.
This enables you to serve a large number of people at once, but it is definitely not suitable for a single family unless you want leftovers.
The Reason for Purchasing
Your reason for purchasing clam chowder will also influence your final selection. For example, if you are purchasing to fill a storm pantry or emergency supplies, you should purchase in bulk. But, if you’re just purchasing for a few dinners over the course of a month, a smaller box would serve.
If you are purchasing for a restaurant, soup kitchen, or other commercial purposes, you may need numerous cans or a single big can, such as Tonys’ 51-ounce container.
Technique of Preparation
Our evaluations most likely exposed you to two sorts of preparation techniques. Here are some examples:
- Heat and Serve: Heat and serve is the simplest option out there. All you need to do is open the can, pour it into your preferred heating vessel (a saucepan or microwave-safe bowl), and then warm it and serve.
- Adding Water: Some of the clam chowder versions out there are not ready to serve. These are condensed soups and you must add water before you can heat and serve them. In most cases, you simply empty the can into a saucepan, fill the can with water and empty that into the saucepan, and then bring the soup to a simmer while whisking it to dissolve any remaining clumps of undiluted chowder. As such, this method takes longer and requires more effort, but it usually results in more soup than what you’ll get from a heat and serve can.
Can Fashion
There are two types of cans in use today: those that need a can opener and those that have a pull tab on the top. The pull tab is the easier of the two to operate since it does not need any extra tools. It’s the same as opening a can of Coke.
To remove the lid, pop the top and then pull it back. The soup may then be poured into a saucepan or dish to reheat. Traditional cans are very straightforward to open if you have a can opener handy.
Clam Chowder Varieties
As you start looking for clam chowder, you may be surprised at how many distinct varieties are available. Even though they seem to be extremely similar, they are not. Therefore, have a look at some of your possibilities down below.
Clam Chowder from New England The most popular variety of clam chowder on the market is from New England. It’s also known as Boston clam chowder. This is the classic chowder that most of us envision when we think of this meal.
It’s thick and rich, frequently made with cream, and includes bacon as well as clams and vegetables. This chowder utilizes flour or smashed up oyster crackers in addition to cream to produce a thicker body than would otherwise be feasible.
Clam Chowder from Maine Maine clam chowder is thinner and simpler than its southern counterpart. The base is made from milk or cream, but no flour is used. The idea here is to highlight the flavor of fresh fish.
Carrot, potato, and celery tastes help it stand out. It may also incorporate salt pork at times. To taste, salt and pepper are added.
Clam Chowder in Manhattan In compared to other types of clam chowder, this one stands out. It’s crimson instead of the creamy white you’re accustomed to. This is due to the addition of tomatoes (juice or puree) to the cream base.
Clams in Manhattan style Chowder differs in a few other ways as well, such as bigger pieces of potato and clams served in their shells. The taste is more pronounced, and there is typically less depth and richness than in other kinds.
Clam Chowder from Rhode Island Clam chowder is popular in even the smallest state of Rhode Island. This one deviates considerably further from popular perception than the Manhattan version. It has a clear broth base with large pieces of bacon and potatoes.
It also makes use of quahog clams, which are the most abundant in the United States. This dish is also known as Rhode Island red chowder, which has a tomato soup base instead of clear broth and is often served with fried clams in addition to the clams it includes.
Chowder with Hatteras Clams Hatteras clam chowder originated in North Carolina and comprises a clear broth, crushed black pepper, and white bread, all topped with clams in their shells and massive pieces of potato.
Clam Chowder’s Common Components
The debate regarding clam chowder types above shows that there is a lot of variation. Yet, the majority of these varieties have some of the same components. Here are some examples:
- Clams – These range from tiny options to ground-up clams to the massive quahog clams Rhode Islanders love to eat. Clams are usually added to the soup on their own, but some variations include the shell.
- Potatoes – Potatoes are found in pretty much all variations of this chowder, although their size varies significantly. Some soups use them in tiny bits, while others feature them in huge wedges.
- Carrots – Carrots are not found in all variations of this chowder, but they are featured in most of them. Carrots add a nice meaty texture, as well as a touch of sweetness to balance the savory.
- Onion – Most versions of clam chowder use onion to at least some extent. White onions are most frequently used, but red and even Vidalia onions can sometimes be substituted.
- Celery – Celery is found in several of the various clam chowder recipes and adds a unique flavor, plus a lovely crunch when you bite into it.
- Cream – Many (but not all) versions of clam chowder use cream or milk as the base. This helps to create a thicker dish.
- Flour – New England clam chowder features flour and/or crushed oyster crackers to help thicken the milk or cream base.
- Meat – Several versions of this chowder use some type of meat. Bacon and salt pork are the two most common. However, ham can also be used in some.
Is Clam Chowder Good for You?
Clam chowder contains a variety of nutrients, however the exact nutritional profile varies depending on the producer and style. The majority of varieties are abundant in protein, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C. They also include a lot of trace elements and micronutrients.
Also, the majority of varieties are low in fat and cholesterol. They may also be made more healthy by adding vegetables like chives or spinach.
Clam chowder, on the other hand, may not be suited for everyone. Several types, for example, are quite rich in salt. If you are on a low-sodium diet, choose a variation with less salt, such as the Campbells Heart Healthy recipe we examined.
Any version based on cream or milk will include dairy in addition to salt. If you are lactose intolerant or have an inflammatory reaction to milk, you will need to choose a chowder that utilizes broth instead.
Clam Chowder Frequently Asked Questions
We’ll answer some of the most commonly asked clam chowder inquiries below.
What exactly does “all-natural” mean?
Theoretically, it may signify anything the maker desires. The FDA does not regulate this language.
Is clam chowder made with entire clams?
Some do, however the majority of producers utilize chopped clams. Some people substitute ground clams.
Is it necessary to refrigerate clam chowder?
It is not necessary to refrigerate canned clam chowder. But, once heated, save any leftovers in the refrigerator and consume them within a day or two.
Is New England clam chowder the same as Manhattan clam chowder?
No, they are not the same. New England clam chowder is cream-based, while Manhattan clam chowder has tomatoes. Both are, however, delectable.
What can I put on top of my clam chowder?
If desired, add parsley or oyster crackers. Some individuals like fiery peppers, while others prefer chives or even cilantro. Try anything that catches your attention.
Conclusion
On a chilly night, nothing beats clam chowder for flavor, nutrition, and warmth. Yet, you don’t have to wait until winter to make this delectable chowder. Each day is a good day to dig in with some of the greatest canned clam chowder alternatives on the market.